Have you ever considered that your own story is set in the midst of an epic narrative God is writing?
The context of our lives has been described as a great love story set in the midst of a war. This is the larger story our story is situated in, and the battle is over our hearts. YOUR heart! It’s the pursuit of your heart by a loving God who will move heaven and earth to draw you to himself. And at the same time, it’s the long and brutal assault on your heart by an enemy who knows what you could be … and fears it.
Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world, and he also told us he has overcome this world. From the book of Revelation, we know that the kingdom of light wins the battle over the kingdom of darkness, but our lives, here and now, are set in the Already-But-Not-Yet. We have been redeemed by Jesus, but this world and the context we live in is currently more dystopian than it is the happily ever after. We have a very real enemy who wants us to stay in our small stories, both unaware of his schemes and how much our lives matter.
May we come to know and trust in deeper measure this loving and strong God–one who overcomes, one who breathes on dry bones and they come to life, one who raises the dead, calms storms, casts out demons, and in the end will usher in the new heavens and the new earth–and will make all things new!
What you believe matters. It has authority in your life. The power of a lie is believing it, living out of it, and building your life around that false belief. It shapes and colors what you believe about God, about yourself, and about others, and keeps your focus on a smaller story.
Do you realize YOU have a vital role in the Larger Story? Jesus has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, and redeemed hearts to awaken to and engage in this Larger Story–will you move with him through the journey of your life? May you lean into the Spirit as you learn to live and move in the Kingdom of God, becoming more and more oriented: knowing, experiencing, and living from who you are (God’s beloved), where you are (the Larger Story), and the good God is up to in your life. You, your voice, your way is needed in the Larger Story.
As you ponder all this with God today, consider asking Him:
- Father, what do you want me to consider and see through this new understanding of my story being set in a Larger story?
- Jesus, would you show me some of the ways the enemy has uniquely come against my experiencing my role in the Larger Story?
- Holy Spirit, what are some false beliefs I’ve held about You? About myself? About others in my life?
Scripture
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
